Information Overload

"Information is everything." I have said that so many times in the past 3 weeks that most everything has lost significance and become just information. It is a true statement, particularly related to ads. But too much information can overload the brain. At least that is true as far as my brain is concerned. Really, there are times when I think I need to just "control, alt, delete" and reboot my brain.

Enough about me. I want to share a few links for on-line Bible study resources. (This is not a paid advertisement.) I have worked with it for a day or two and I really like it. It is similar to E-Sword, yet different. Both resources can be downloaded for free or you can order the CDs.

E-Sword has many add on features. Some are free and others can be bought. I am partial to it because it offers Strong's Numbers and definitions right with the text. This link will take you to Bible Pro.com. This site boasts of 45 Bible translations, a dozen or so commentaries, daily Bible reading helps, and maps of all kinds. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Bible News is a basic sort of search link, good for any link list. It offers search by word, reference, or topic. If you have been to my sidebar, you already know about Christ Notes . I think their widget is one of the best for blogs and such. And a final link that offers a world of Christian links; CrossSearch.com.

No Ox - No Crops

The lesson of the ox is meant to encourage the believer to recognize his importance in the Kingdom and challenge him to work in the Master's fields. This is basically a topical study that parallels natural oxen and the spiritual workers within the body of Christ.


The term ox can be used to describe any of the bovine family both wild and domesticated. Musk-ox, water buffalo, and yak are just a few beside the common ox or cow. Basic characteristics of the ox include: stocky legs, heavy muscular body, tough hide, steady gait, working well in pairs or teams, and demonstrates consistent responses to commands once domesticated. These traits enhance the usefulness of the ox.


Oxen are used for a variety of tasks related to farming. Plowing, pulling a cart/transportation, moving heavy loads, and treading of grain. The mature are often paired with the younger in order to teach them how to pull in the harness as a team. Of course the female oxen are valuable for bearing offspring. Sometimes the oxen are eaten as a meat source. In biblical times they were also used as sacrificial animals.


In the initial oxen post the picture was of some Kenyan farmers. The ox is a valuable possession there and used every day for any number of activities. The literal translation, "no cattle- no crops" applies to those farmers as well as most of the ones living in Third World countries. It could also be said, "no crop- no life". For them, there are no markets on every corner.


Without the oxen there is little chance of putting in a crop. If the oxen are lost between planting time and harvest, the farmer is put in a extremely difficult place. He will have no way to turn the wheel that pumps the water to irrigate, no means of transporting the crop from the field, and no alternative but to walk everywhere.


The info presented thus far is remedial but required to draw the parallel. In a classroom setting, this would have come in the form of answers from the students. When I am teaching a lesson parallel, I generally ask the questions and record the answers on a large dry erase board. I list them in a column so the spiritual parallels can be listed opposite them as we cover the material.

Work Him In

I want to thank you all for your prayers and words of comfort during the time of our loss. I use that expression simply because it is the common way to say it. Truly we have not lost Paw, we know just where to find him and how to get there.

When Pastor Hughes(my grandparents' pastor) asked if we had any scripture preferences for the funeral service, we just told him to say whatever God gave him to say. My grandmother told him to keep it short and sweet. I said, "preach a salvation message. There will be some unsaved folks there that never hear the Word." He said, " I always work that in some where."

There are many other truths that can and must be preached, but there is one that is absolutely necessary for salvation. Preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. My friend Milton has an excellent post on this subject. Preaching Jesus cuts through legalism as well as fanaticism. We need to teach and preach the Word in every situation.

There is always a way to work Him into your conversations. Practice it at home in every day talk with your family and friends. It will become second nature. Be prepared to be mocked. The carnal man does not understand the spiritual. Rest assured the Word will bring conviction. Hearing the Word will bring people to a place of salvation by faith.

Study Tips

The word on studying the Word. Read and consider the Biblical text and context first.

In a previous post (03/27/07), I mentioned the study tools that I use most of the time. I failed to mention that I use them in the order I had listed them: Bible, Strong's Concordance, Bible Dictionary, Expositor's Commentary.

I realize there are innumerable resources available on the internet and on software; I just have not gotten up to speed on that part of the information highway, yet. The more I check out the blogrolls and links the more great stuff I am finding. One I really like and find helpful is the Webster's 1828 Dictionary. You will find it in my 'Tools of the Trade' list.

When preparing a topical study, a good concordance will be your best friend. I like using the Strong's Concordance because it includes the Hebrew and Greek words and definitions. A Bible dictionary comes in handy when you need to know the meaning of people/places names. In biblical times you knew volumes about a city or person just by their name. Not so today.

Now days people name their children all kinds of things. I know a child named Lexus Mercedes ________. How do you think that child feels being named after cars? At least they are upscale cars. Some folks may still consider their child's future when choosing their name. I have heard of one named Jabez in the past few years. Now the name is biblical alright enough, but do the parents really know what the name means. I think they just like the part about the blessings. Really, who would want to call their child, "Pain" or "Misery"?

Back to the subject. I leave the commentary for last. Yes a commentary will have scholarly material and documented facts, but it will also have stuff that is strictly opinion. As long as opinions are clearly stated as such, I have no problem using the material. Kind of like blogs. I have gleaned much in reading them; but I always weigh the information with the Word of God.

Study Helps- Example

*******Warning: Lengthy Post******
This post is to provide an example of the study helps given in a previous post. While it is not exhaustive, it will give you an idea of how to get the most from the text. Look for the local/cultural, temporal, details as you read the passage. You may need to read the entire chapter to get a complete picture. You will have to fill in the blanks, I don't always write out complete sentences. ( That is why I didn't make an "A" in my Principles of Teaching class). I would make abbreviated lesson plans when the prof wanted a complete 'how to' lesson.

Genesis 26:12-35 (New International Version)
12 Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. 14 He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him. 15 So all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.
16 Then Abimelech said to Isaac, "Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us."
17 So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. 18 Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them.
19 Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. 20 But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen and said, "The water is ours!" So he named the well Esek, [a] because they disputed with him. 21 Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. [b] 22 He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, [c] saying, "Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land."
23 From there he went up to Beersheba. 24 That night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham."
25 Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.
26 Meanwhile, Abimelech had come to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his personal adviser and Phicol the commander of his forces. 27 Isaac asked them, "Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?"
28 They answered, "We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, 'There ought to be a sworn agreement between us'-between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you well and sent you away in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD."
30 Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. 31 Early the next morning the men swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they left him in peace.
32 That day Isaac's servants came and told him about the well they had dug. They said, "We've found water!" 33 He called it Shibah, [d] and to this day the name of the town has been Beersheba. [e]
34 When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

Footnotes:
a Genesis 26:20 Esek means dispute .
b Genesis 26:21 Sitnah means opposition .
c Genesis 26:22 Rehoboth means room .
d Genesis 26:33 Shibah can mean oath or seven .
e Genesis 26:33 Beersheba can mean well of the oath or well of seven .

Local: Gerar in the land of the Philistines

Temporal: O.T. days, during time of famine

Details: Who- Issac, Rebekah, Abimelech, Philistines
What- Blessings on Issac, Envy of the Philistines, wells of Abraham
When- time of famine Where- Gerar
Why- Issac's blessings due to God's covenant w/Abraham

Universal: Famine/lack can happen any where, to any people group

Timeless: Blessings from God, jealousy, and hindrances can occur anytime.

Principles: God can bless you at anytime, anywhere, anyway. What He promised that will He do. The enemy will notice your blessings and will try to steal them.(Actually he does not want them, he just don't want you to have them.) When God is for you, you will fulfill His purpose despite the attack of the enemy.

The Philistines did not want the water/wells they just didn't want Issac to have them. = enemy

Issac followed the path Abraham had travelled before him. = Follow after godly examples

Issac moved from well to well as the Philistines strove w/him. = Keep moving ahead in God, put disappointments behind.

Abimelech finally decided to make peace w/Issac. = your enemies will eventually see the need to join in your blessings instead of hindering them.

There is so much in this passage that can be applied to our everyday life. Your insights/comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Helpful Study Tools

Today I would like to share some Bible study tips. These are not original with me and may not be with the professor who taught me. His name is Dr.Leroy Bartel, at Southwestern A/G University located in Waxahachie,TX. If these are not new to you please let me know where you acquired them. Certainly if you know who to credit, put it in your comment. Thanks.


Number One: Always interpret scripture within it's context.
Number Two: Use the following guide to assess the context and applications.

LOCAL _________UNIVERSAL
TEMPORAL_______TIMELESS
DETAILS________PRINCIPLES

As you read a passage of scripture, take note of the culture (LOCAL) of the writer and the original recipients. You may then need to use other resources to get more info. Then assess the historical data concerning the people, places, and events (TEMPORAL). Thirdly, what are the facts (DETAILS)given in the text. When you have researched these items you will be able to formulate the applications to this generation.

UNIVERSAL: What elements of the culture apply to every culture?
TIMELESS: What parts of the history affect every generation?
DETAILS: What are the parallels of the facts to modern occurences?
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Then of course there is the old stand-by way to study anything. Ask the following questions: who, what, where, when,why, and how? Seems like I first heard that in grade school. They may not even teach that these days, but it is still a good method.
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Study to show yourself an approved scholar in the Word that will not bring shame to the teaching profession declaring the Truth with accuracy and true conviction. IITimothy 2:15 the SC Paraphrase

Proper Perspectives

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16, 17 KJV

All scripture includes historical accounts, descriptions of people and places, and journal entries; not just the scriptures concerning the laws and prophecy. Many people are willing to accept the divine inspiration of the books of the Pentateuch, Prophets, Psalms, Proverbs, and the majority of the New Testament, but unwilling to accept the genealogies, census reports, and inventory lists as inspired. The Apostle Paul makes it abundantly clear that ALL scripture is divinely inspired and states its purposes clearly.

Doctrine: set of guidelines, policies, or principles, dogma
Reprove: warn, caution, rebuke, admonish, convince/persuade by argument
Correction: modification, adjustment, alteration, improvement, discipline
Instruction: education, teaching, training, lessons, orders, commands
Righteousness: justice, honesty, virtue, morality, right-standing with God

That the man of God may be:
Perfect: faultless, unspoiled, just right, whole, complete, mature
Thoroughly: absolutely, completely, systematically
Furnished: equipped, supplied, endowed
Good: wholesome, healthy, positive, excellent
Works: actions, labors, efforts, vocations

When we have the mind of God concerning His word, we will be more diligent in study.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 KJV

Considerations

"Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this, for your sermons last but an hour or two; your life preaches all week. Give yourself to prayer, and get your texts, your thoughts, your words from God." Robert Murray McCheyne

1. Divine inspiration, however necessary does not preclude preparation.
2. Preparation can not replace the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
3. Just because the message is the Anointed Word, does not mean the messenger is anointed.
4. Just because the messenger is anointed, does not mean the message is anointed.

"If the anointing which we bear come not from the Lord of hosts, we are deceivers, since only in prayer can we obtain it. Let us continue instant, constant, fervent in supplication. Let your fleece lie on the trashing floor of supplication till it is wet with the dew of heaven." Spurgeon